My NoFap and Varicocele journey

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this type of thread - it's not a dysfunction, not off-topic, nor a success story (yet) - there isn't really a category for it, but it will definitely help someone out there, so here goes

I have had a crazy journey with varicoceles and PMO! No need to read further if you haven't struggled with this issue.

I can't remember exactly when it became an issue, was probably around my late teens. Started as a disformed shape left testicle, felt like a bag of worms later on and progressed to a Grade 3 Varicocele. I had intermittent pain for years, literally right through my twenties and early thirties. Sadly I had been PMO'ing during those same years and never thought there might be a correlation / link between the two.

I went for a Vasectomy 2 years ago, I'm 34 now, married with 2 kids. Had a lot of complications after the procedure, took about 6 months to recover. Pain kept coming back in my left testicle. I eventually decided to have my varicocele removed from my left testicle last year in Nov. Had 38 days of no PMO (my longest btw in 22 years) and my pain was gone. My left testicle has always been under-developed due to years and years of varicoceles, but at least the pain was gone.

The worst thing happened though...
The varicocele returned to the left testicle with extreme pain. This was in Feb of this year (also when I watched loads of porn / edged and M alot). Coincidence?...

I went to see my Urologist (again) and he suggested the removal of my left testicle (Radical Orchiectomy). As well as the spermatic cord. I went for the op on the 29th of April this year. He replaced the testicle with a prosthesis so it looks the same and the size is almost identical.

I joined NoFap that next morning in a desperate attempt to abstain for longer this time. Not just for the obvious benefits, but also because I haven't been able to kick this habit for over 2 decades!

I'm still recovering from the surgery, no joke by the way, it's really painful.
Some symptoms to look out for if you are going for a similar procedure -
Numbness between the testes and cut - almost like the skin has no feeling.
"Beating" pain - almost like a migraine where it feels like a throbbing of pain.
The usual cut and stitches recovery.

Glad to say I'm on day 20 today! First goal is 30 days.

I've been spending alot of time reading about the benefits of NoFap and the correlation between varicoceles.
I guess to sum it up, there has to be a link imo - I have never abstained for long periods to see shrinkage or whatever else would or could have happened. But the fact that it came back after Varicocelectomy was sobering to me - I am not going back to that messed up, condemned and miserable habit ever again!

Varicocelectomy is extreme, Orchiectomy even more - but I couldn't cope with the pain. For others, I would suggest going free from PMO for 90 days and if there is still pain or whatever, then only consider these options.

I will post here again to share my progress. For now, the first step is 30 days, then 60, then 90, then 6 months, then one year. Then a lifetime of freedom with my one real ball and my one fake ball!!

Can't wait for the benefits of a liberated life and sharing my testimony!

Sidenote:
I can't do this in my own strength... I have tried to do so hundreds of times. So my answer this time is:
1. A much closer walk with God than ever before!

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9‭-‬10 NIV

2. Keeping track of my progress on NoFap and supporting others on the same journey!

Feel free to share your Varicocele journey or to ask about the procedures if you are considering these options.

 

Oh yeah, just realized I forgot to mention this:
I have had varicoceles since after puberty, which if it's Grade 3 can have a huge effect on fertility. We are very blessed though to have 2 kids, didn't even take long to get pregnant, despite of this.

#BlessedBeyondMeasure #GloryToGod